Encoding and marking apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention contemplates digit-marking apparatus for characterizing a read-out surface with n-digit binary data for each of m decimal digits, wherein m digit-marking elements are employed in a cycle of n indexed displacements of the marking elements and read-out surface with respect to each other. The invention is described in connection with card-punching of binary-coded data, using a four-station two-dimensional index pattern, thus establishing for each of the several decimal digits a four-bit binary-code punch pattern.

United States Patent [191 Castaldi et al.

ENCODING AND MARKING APPARATUS Inventors: John A. Castaldi; Herbert Goetz,

both of Brooklyn, N.Y.

Assignee: Supreme Equipment & Systems Corp., Brooklyn, N.Y.

Filed: Jan. 20, 1972 Appl. No.: 219,248

US. Cl. 234/90, 234/128 Int. Cl. G06k 1/02 Field of Search 234/89-92, 128-]30 References Cited n UNITED STATES PATENTS I I 1/1963 Gray et al; 234/128 x June 26, 1973 3,051,375 8/1962 Bergman 234/91 Primary Examiner-J. M. Meister Attorney-Nichol M. Sandoe, Roy C. Hopgood et al.

[57] ABSTRACT The invention contemplates digit-marking apparatus for characterizing a read-out surface with n-digit binary data for each of m decimal digits, wherein m digit-marking elements are employed in a cycle of n indexed displacements 'of the marking elements and read-out surface with respect to each other. The invention is described in connection with card-punching of binary-coded data, using a four-station twodimensional index pattern, thus establishing for each of the several decimal digits a four-bit binary-code punch pattern. A

1-9 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures i l-1m.

PATENIEnauuzs Ian 3. 7410469 1.5. l/ T a 1/ (A 20 our- NEW 0120 w) /64! PATENTEDmzs ma 314L469 15 AMMMH MM m w) m (mom (a) m (9 .4. I T ML IAIIAIIIAAIII I Am A AA Izsno I ONE A Two ITHREE lFoun A nve I SIX Aswan Aaqm A NINE A ENCODING AND MARKING APPARATUS The invention relates to digit-marking apparatus having application to storage-and-retrieval systems, including random access varieties of such systems, using electro-optical scan and recognition techniques.

In modern storage and retrieval systems, wherein stored containers, files, or other articles are accommodated in available openings in the retrieval-access surface of a storage or file matrix, it is important to accurately and flexibly provide machine-readable code data which can uniquely identify each stored item. For certain applications, it is important to be able to change the identification for containers or files within the system, or to apply selected kinds of coding to containers or files added to the system. The invention has particular application to the automatic coding of labels, including replaceable and interchangeable labels, for application to such containers or files.

It is, accordingly, an object of the invention to pro vide an improved method and means for the automatic creation of machine-readable coded markings of the character indicated.

Another object is to provide an improved machine for the automaticencoding oflabels for use in a storage and retrieval system.

A specific object is to provide an improved machine of the character indicated, accepting decimal-digit input and automatically creating binary-coded labels.

Another specific object is to achieve the above objects with a machine which substantially economizes on the number of marking elements used to create a given label. A further specific object is to provide a machine which, for a given overall available code-marking area, inherently utilizes "relatively large binary-bit areas, to the end that scan-recognition reliability is enhanced.

It is a general object to meet the foregoing objects with a system of relative simplicity, economy of construction, reliability of operation, and ease of use, by relatively unskilled personnel.

Other objects and various further features of novelty.

and invention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specification, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In said drawings:

FIG. 1 is a simplified perspective view, partly brokenaway to show'overall mechanical relationships in a label-coding apparatus of the invention;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are plan views of a label blank adaptable to the apparatus of FIG. 1, respectively showing the label before and after code marking;

FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram to illustrate the pattern of binary coding employed in the label of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a simplified block diagram schematically showing electrical and other control connections for operating the apparatus of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 6 is a graphical display of the operation of various elements of FIGS. 1 and 5, to the same time scale, and for several successive cycles of operation.

In FIG. 1, the invention is shown in application to apparatus including a control console 10, in conjunction with means for applying binary-coded indicia to a label 11. The console 10 includes a set 12 of decimal-digit punch keys,'by means of which an operator can set up a given m-digit decimal number, according to which the apparatus is to create a binary-coded marking of an n-digit binary code to label 11 for each of the m input decimal digits. Individually controlled binarydigit marking elements a, b, c,-h are carried by the marking head 17 in a plurality of m, corresponding to the number of decimal digits to be coded. A twocomponent indexing system is operative between the two heads, to impart a sequenced cycle of X-axis and Y-axis relative displacements of the label 11 and of the marking head 17, said displacements being in the plane of the label 11. The number of displacements in the indexing cycle is n, corresponding to the number of digits in each binary equivalent of an input decimal digit. Each of the marking elements a, b, c,-h is actuated in accordance with binary-coded electrical signals, commutated from decimal-to-binary converter outputs, in

synchronism with indexing steps, all as will be more fully explained.

For the form shown, the marking head 17 is operative to code the label or card 11 with punched-out markings, and the marking head is frame-based, the label 11 being supported, positioned and located by a movable frame or holding means 19. Frame 19 is centrally open, as suggested by light dashed markings 20, to allow freedom for index displacements and for punch operation.

Frame'19 is secured to or forms part of a cross-slide, guided by Y-axis ways 21-21" in a main slide 22, which in turn is guided by orthogonally related or X-axis ways (suggested at 23) referenced to the frame of the machine. As shown, double-acting fluid-pressure operated means 24 displaces the main slide 22 to one of two X- component index positions, involving X-axis displacement to the extent P. Similarly, double-acting fluidpressure operated means 25, referenced to main slide 22, imparts Y-component displacements to the crossslide or holder 19, between index positions spaced to the extent Q.

The marking head 17 is shown to comprise four principal frame-based members. A fixed punch-element guide block or bracket 26 overstands the working area of label 11 and is matched by a female die member 27, fixed (within opening 20) to support the underside of label 11 and having punch openings aligned with the path of movement of the respective punch elements a, b, c,h. Upper and lower fixed brackets 28-49 support the independent actuators for the punch elements; these actuators may also be double-acting fluid pressure-operated devices, typified by identification 30. Rods, as at 31, translate actuating drive to the evennumbered punch elements b-d-f-h, being nested between the pressure-fluid actuators for the oddnumbered punch elements a-c-e-g, in order to economize on the longitudinal space between adjacent punch elements a, b, c,h.

It will be understood that label 11 is sufficiently stiff for handling and support by means 19, and that means 19 is suggestive of holding means whatever the desired technique of label or card insertion and removal, including automated insertion and removal techniques. Depending upon the selected technique, suitable means such as locating pins 32-32 on holder 19 may register with locating references on each label, as at two or more apertures 33-33 in label 11 (see FIGS. 2 and 3).

Binary-code patterns from the system depicted in FIG. 4 are to be applied to the blank label (11) of FIG. 2 to create the coded label of FIG. 3, in accordance with the set-up established by the operator, and displayed at 13. According to this system, each decimal digit is characterized by a four-bit binary marking, each bit being at a quadrant corner of the binary-data area assigned to each decimal digit. For the Zero or blank condition depicted at the left end of FIG. 4, a first quadrant or binary-bit area A has the decimal value 1", the second quadrant or binary-bit area B has the decimal value 2, the third quadrant or binary-bit area C has the decimal value 4", and the fourth quadrant or binary-bit area D has the decimal value 8. Shaded areas for succeeding decimal-digit regions are indicated by legend in FIG. 4, consistent with the described quadrant system of decimal values.

As shown, the binary-bit punch elements a, b, c,h have precisely the same rectangular punch section, being characterized by length and width dimensions which are respectively substantially one half the length and width dimensions of the binary-data areas assigned to each decimal digit. In the longitudinal or X-axis direction, the elemental binary-bit dimension p is preferably at least equal to the X-index component P, and in the transverse or Y-axis direction, the bit dimension q is less than the Y-index component Q; stated in other words, the bit dimension p is at least one half the corresponding (longitudinal) dimension L of each of the binary-data areas along the label 11, while the bit dimension q is less than one half of the corresponding (transverse) dimension W of these areas, This relationship assures that adjacent binary-bit markings along the X- axis will have no unmarked bridge area between them, and that a continuous reinforcing bridge region of at least the width w will separate C-D quadrant markings (punch-outs) from A-B quadrant markings (punchouts).

To complete the description of the blank label (11) of FIG. 2, a row oflike marks or slots 35 marks the midlongitudinal location of each elemental binary-bit area. Thus, the centers of marks 35 are spaced by the amount p, and there are sixteen such marks 35, i.e., two for each of the eight assigned binary-data areas. These marks 35 will be understood to provide for scanner lock-in reference, enabling unambiguous machinereading of the coded label, such as the coded label of FIG. 3. Incidentally, the decimal input displayed at 13 will be recognized in FIG. 3, using the code convention of FIG. 4. Finally, the system of locating apertures in label 11 is seen to include at least one asymmetrical aperture (33), to assure against ambiguous application of the coded label to a container, file folder or the like, within the storage and retrieval system.

The simplified block diagram of FIG. and the cycle diagrams of FIG. 6 will help to explain coordinated operation of the apparatus of FIG. I. In FIG. 5, the twocomponent index actuators 24-25 are shown supplied by a single pressure-fluid system 40, as determined by separate solenoid valve means 4I42. A cycle-program timer 43, which may be contained within console 10, includes a variety of control options (suggested by legends Start, Stop, Manual", Single Cycle", and Automatic"); it provides timed actuation of an X-axis switch 44 for solenoid valve 41 and of a Y-axis switch 45 for solenoid valve 42. Curves a and b of FIG. 6 show the staggered overlapping nature of the respective X and Y-axis cycles, being equal and phase-displaced, thus establishing a first indexed quadrant A in which the actuators 24-25 are respectively in-out, a second indexed quadrant B with actuators 24-25 respectively in-in, a third indexed quadrant C with actuators 24-25 respectively out-.in, and the fourth quadrant D for the out-out relation at 24-25.

Similarly, in FIG. 5, the respective actuators 30a, 30b, 30a,-30h for the punch elements a, b, c,h are served by the same pressure-fluid supply 40, being independently controlled by like solenoid valves 46a, 46b,-46h. The m input decimal digits, set by push button at 12, are individually operative upon m decimal-to-binary converters 51, 52, 53-58 which may be duplicates of each other and which, for description, may be deemed to be illustrated by the more detailed showing for converter 54. As indicated by legend, the converter 54 provides four output lines, identified A, B, C, D, to correspond with the four described positions of the index cycle; the conversion to binary involves four digits, which appear individually at the respective outputs A, B, C, D. A commutator or indexing switch 59d has a cycle of four conditions under which it se quentially connects the respective A, B, C, D outputs of converter 54 to the solenoid for valve 46b, via an AND gate 60d to actuate a rapid in-out punch cycle for element d. Dashed line 61 from the program timer 43 to the indexing switch means 59a, 59b, 59c59h suggests synchronization of all these switch means with indexing action, the periods of connection to the respective A, B, C, D outputs of the converters being shown in FIG. 6, curves c,.d, e,f, for the corresponding index quadrantsl Another synchronizing output 62 of timer 43 is connected to all the AND gates 60a, 60b, 60a,-60h; it provides punch-control timing pulses, once for each index station, as shown by curve g of FIG. 6.

For the described connections, it will be seen that the four indexed quadrant positions A, B, C, D of card or label 11 are accompanied by commutated connection of the A, B, C and D outputs (at 51, 52,-58) to the respective gates to the punch-element solenoid valves 46a, 46b,-46h. At each of these index positions, the punch pulse at 62 will be operative to drive one of the punch elements a, b, c,h only if the then-commutated corresponding converter output carries a binary-bit output or punch signal. Thus, for the code impressed on the label of FIG. 3, and at the A-index station, the delivery of the first punch-timing pulse 63 in line 62 finds binary-bit punch" signals at the A outputs of the first, third, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth converters 51, 53, 55, 56, 57, 58, calling for operation of punch elements a, c, e,f, g, h; at the B-index station, the commutated B outputs of converters 51 and 56 call for operation of punch elements a and f; at the C-index station, the commutated C output of converter 51 alone calls for operation of punch element a only; and at the D-index station, the commutated D output of converter 58 alone calls for operation of punch element h only.

The fully coded card is complete after the D-index of the first cycle, labeled Cycle No. l, and it will be understood that, for example, for a semi-automatic or Single-Cycle selection at 43, the timer will perform shut down and reset functions, to enable card removal and replacement, in readiness for the next cycle. If Automatic" operation is selected, it will be understood that card loading and transfer means 64 will be actuated upon completion of the D-index fraction of Cycle No. l, as suggested by the synchronizingconnection 65 to timer 43; upon insertion of the new card at 64-, a further synchronizing connection 66 to the input means 67 will be understood to reset and to step the decimal-number setting, as by operation of a selfindexing decimal numbering device (not shown), thereby resetting means 1243 appropriate for the newly inserted card 11 (for Cycle No. 2). An interlock connection 68 will be understood to suggest the means whereby timer 43 is restarted (recycled) for Cycle No. 2, and for succeeding cycles.

For certain types of storage and retrieval systems, the same label-scanning means is caused to simultaneously view and evaluate labels in each of two spaced, and opposed, retrieval-access planes. For example, the scanner head may course a path between these two planes, so that labels 111 on items stored or to be placed to the right" of the scanner must be punched by a binary which is the mirror image of the label code on items accommodated to the left of the scanner. If the stored items are such as to require label 11 affixed with its longitudinal axis parallel to scanner motion, then for left access, all sixteen elemental binary-bit area allocations on card 11 must be end-for-end reversed from the allocations required for right" access; thus, assuming the card of FIG. 3 has been coded for left access,

the coded markings would have to be end-for-end reversed if a card 1 l is prepared for access to (or storage of) the same item to the right" of the scanner, because the scanner will have to achieve digital recognition to the right, in the order -9-l-3-l-O-l-0-7, for the FIG. 1 and FIG. 3 situation. Such end-for-end reversal is a relatively simple matter of switching the A, B, C, D outputs of the various converters 51, 52,-58. In the form shown, however, the cards 11 are assumed to be oriented transverse to the direction of scanner displacement, e.g., horizontal scan of labels oriented vertically (as up along the back edge of a file box); this being the case, the binary-bit area allocations for stations A-B must be interchanged with (mirror-image reversed from) those for stations C-D. The switch labeled LEFT-RIGHT DELIVERY in FIG. 1 will be understood to provide desired selection of a card punching appropriate to right-hand or to left-hand access or delivery,'as the case may be, and in FIG. 5 the dashed-line connections 69 from the input device to all converters 51, 52,-58 will be understood to make the requisite change in converter-output connections, so that commutation at 59a, 59b, -59h may be correct for the selected retrieval-access direction.

It will be seen that the described apparatus meets all stated objects and provides economy of parts, as well as inherent simplicity and ease of operation. The device may be operated manually, semi-automatically or automatically, as in conjunction with an indexing or stepping decimal-digit input numbering device, operative to advance by another decimal digit for each cycle of the A, B, C, D index positions.

While the invention has been described in detail for the form shown, it will be understood that modifications may be made without departing from the invention. For example, the binary code may be of the more failsafe variety in which each bit element is represented by one of two punchings, for example, a left punch (to the exclusion of a right punch) signifying the value 1, and a right punch (to the exclusion of a left punch) signifying the value 0. And, of course, the quantities m and n can be various, as dictated by application considerations. In all cases, however, the invention economizes on use of punch elements and time to complete a coded card.

What is claimed is:

l. Digit-marking apparatus for characterizing a readout surface with n-digit binary data for each of m decimal digits, the binary-data areas assigned to each decimal digit being uniformly spaced on said surface; comprising:

a marking head with m like binary-bit marking elements in spaced array corresponding to the spacings of said areas on said surface, each of said bit elements having an effective marking area at. least no greater than one nth part of said binary-data area assigned to each decimal digit, and each marking element including its independent actuating control means;

an article-supporting head with means for supporting and locating in said surface an article to be marked;

indexing means having a cycle of at least n indexed stations within the binary-data area assigned to each decimal digit, for successively indexing said heads with respect to each other;

input means having n binary-bit electrical output connections for each of the m decimal digits;

and switching means synchronized with said indexing means for operatively connecting successive of the n output connections for each decimal digit to the control means of the corresponding marking element;

whereby complete binary data for the m-digit decimal input are marked on said article in a single indexing cycle.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said indexing means has a two-component displacement cycle.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the value of n is four.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which said indexing means includes first and second orthogonally related component-displacement means.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the cycle of said indexing means comprises like cycles of said first and second means, in substantially quadraturephase relation.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said marking elements are like punching devices.

7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which said marking head includes a female die element with an array 'of punch-guide openings aligned with the respective paths of movement of the punching devices, said surface being intermediate said die element and said punching devices.

8. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which, for indexing purposes, said marking head is fixedand said article-supporting head is indexed.

9. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which said artiole-supporting head is adapted to insertably receive and locate a standardized card to be punched, said die element having a card-supporting surface adjacent the surface in which each inserted card is received and located.

10. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which each bit-element marking area is rectangular with dimensions which are each respectively substantially 2-nths of the corresponding dimension of the binary-data area assigned to each decimal digit.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which one of the bit-element marking-area dimensions is less than Z-nths of the corresponding dimension of the binarydata area, whereby an unmarked bridge separates adjacent bit-marked areas in the direction of said one dimension.

12. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which one of the bit-element marking-area dimensions is at least as great as 2-nths of the corresponding dimension of the binary-data area, whereby no unmarked bridge separates adjacent bit-marked areas in the direction of said one dimension.

13. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the value of m is greater than two, thereby establishing a longitudinally extending array of assigned binary-data areas, the longitudinal dimension of said bit-element marking areas being at least as great as Z-nths of the longitudinal dimension of the binary-data area, and the transverse dimension of said bit-element marking areas being less than 2-nths of the transverse dimensions of the binary-data area, whereby at least a longitudinally continuous unmarked narrow bridge area separates bitmarked areas on one transversely indexed alignment from bit-marked areas on the opposite transversely indexed alignment, and further whereby no unmarked bridge separates longitudinally adjacent bit-marked areas.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said input means includes decimal-to-binary conversion means for each decimal digit.

15. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said input means includes means synchronized with completion of each index cycle for effecting a decimal serial digit shift with respect to a decimal digit in the input setting of the completed index cycle.

16. Apparatus according to claim 4, whereby for each of the m decimal digits the four binary-bit electrical output connections serve the respective corner regions of a generally rectangular binary-data area on said surface, one of the dimensional axes of said rectangular area being oriented in the general direction of binary-data area spacing on said surface, and selectively operative switch means for interchangeably reversing the binary-bit output connections, in the sense of the other dimensional axis of said rectangular area, to the exclusion of said one axis, whereby an article marked by said apparatus may be made to serve a selected one of two opposed and spaced retrieval-access planes scanned by a single scanner between said planes. I

17. Digit-marking apparatus for punched-out characterizing of a read-out card with n-digit binary data for each ofm decimal digits, the binary-data areas assigned to each decimal digit being uniformly spaced in a longitudinal alignment on said surface, comprising:

frame means including a relatively fixed punch head with m movable like binary-bit punch elements on longitudinally spaced parallel punching axes corresponding to the spacings of said areas on said surface, each of said bit elements having an effective punching area at least no greater than one nth part of said binary-data area assigned to each decimal digit, and each punch element including its independent actuating control means; card-supporting means including a holder with means for supporting and locating in said surface a card to be punched, said card-supporting means including main and cross-slide connections to said frame means for two-dimensional guided displacement of a card in said surface;

indexing means having a cycle of at least n indexed stations with the binary-data area assigned to each decimal digit and connected to effect a twocomponent succession of indexed displacements of said holder;

input means having n binary-bit electrical output connections for each of the m decimal digits;

and switching means synchronized with said indexing means for operatively connecting successive of the n output connections for each decimal digit to the control means of the corresponding marking element.

18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which the value ofn is four, and the binary-data areas and the effective punch element areas are rectangular, the longitudinal dimension of the punch-element areas being at least one half of the longitudinal dimension of the binary-data areas.

19. Apparatus according to claim 18, in which the transverse dimension of the punch-element areas is less than one half of the overall transverse dimension of the binary-data areas. 

1. Digit-marking apparatus for characterizing a read-out surface with n-digit binary data for each of m decimal digits, the binary-data areas assigned to each decimal digit being uniformly spaced on said surface; comprising: a marking head with m like binary-bit marking elements in spaced array corresponding to the spacings of said areas on said surface, each of said bit elements having an effective marking area at least no greater than one nth part of said binary-data area assigned to each decimal digit, and each marking element including its independent actuating control means; an article-supporting head with means for supporting and locating in said surface an article to be marked; indexing means having a cycle of at least n indexed stations within the binary-data area assigned to each decimal digit, for successively indexing said heads with respect to each other; input means having n binary-bit electrical output connections for each of the m decimal digits; and switching means synchronized with said indexing means for operatively connecting successive of the n output connections for each decimal digit to the control means of the corresponding marking element; whereby complete binary data for the m-digit decimal input are marked on said article in a single indexing cycle.
 2. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said indexing means has a two-component displacement cycle.
 3. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which the value of n is four.
 4. Apparatus according to claim 3, in which said indexing means includes first and second orthogonally related component-displacement means.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which the cycle of said indexing means comprises like cycles of said first and second means, in substantially quadrature-phase relation.
 6. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said marking elements are like punching devices.
 7. Apparatus according to claim 6, in which said marking head includes a female die element with an array of punch-guide openings aligned with the respective paths of movement of the punching devices, said surface being intermediate said die element and said punching devices.
 8. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which, for indexing purposes, said marking head is fixed and said article-supporting head is indexed.
 9. Apparatus according to claim 7, in which said article-supporting head is adapted to insertably receive and locate a standardized card to be punched, said die element having a card-supporting surface adjacent the surface in which each inserted card is received and located.
 10. Apparatus according to claim 4, in which each bit-element marking area is rectangular with dimensions which are each respectively substantially 2-nths of the corresponding dimension of the binary-data area assigned to each decimal digit.
 11. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which one of the bit-element marking-area dimensions is less than 2-nths of the corresponding dimension of the binary-data area, whereby an unmarked bridge separates adjacent bit-marked areas in the direction of said one dimension.
 12. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which one of the bit-element marking-area dimensions is at least as great as 2-nths of the corresponding dimension of the binary-data area, whereby no unmarked bridge separates adjacent bit-marked areas in the direction of said one dimension.
 13. Apparatus according to claim 10, in which the value of m is greater than two, thereby establishing a longitudinally extending array of assigned binary-data areas, the longitudinal dimension of said bit-element marking areas being at least as great as 2-nths of the longitudinal dimension of the binary-data area, and the transverse dimension of said bit-element marking areas being less than 2-nths of tHe transverse dimensions of the binary-data area, whereby at least a longitudinally continuous unmarked narrow bridge area separates bit-marked areas on one transversely indexed alignment from bit-marked areas on the opposite transversely indexed alignment, and further whereby no unmarked bridge separates longitudinally adjacent bit-marked areas.
 14. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said input means includes decimal-to-binary conversion means for each decimal digit.
 15. Apparatus according to claim 1, in which said input means includes means synchronized with completion of each index cycle for effecting a decimal serial digit shift with respect to a decimal digit in the input setting of the completed index cycle.
 16. Apparatus according to claim 4, whereby for each of the m decimal digits the four binary-bit electrical output connections serve the respective corner regions of a generally rectangular binary-data area on said surface, one of the dimensional axes of said rectangular area being oriented in the general direction of binary-data area spacing on said surface, and selectively operative switch means for interchangeably reversing the binary-bit output connections, in the sense of the other dimensional axis of said rectangular area, to the exclusion of said one axis, whereby an article marked by said apparatus may be made to serve a selected one of two opposed and spaced retrieval-access planes scanned by a single scanner between said planes.
 17. Digit-marking apparatus for punched-out characterizing of a read-out card with n-digit binary data for each of m decimal digits, the binary-data areas assigned to each decimal digit being uniformly spaced in a longitudinal alignment on said surface, comprising: frame means including a relatively fixed punch head with m movable like binary-bit punch elements on longitudinally spaced parallel punching axes corresponding to the spacings of said areas on said surface, each of said bit elements having an effective punching area at least no greater than one nth part of said binary-data area assigned to each decimal digit, and each punch element including its independent actuating control means; card-supporting means including a holder with means for supporting and locating in said surface a card to be punched, said card-supporting means including main and cross-slide connections to said frame means for two-dimensional guided displacement of a card in said surface; indexing means having a cycle of at least n indexed stations with the binary-data area assigned to each decimal digit and connected to effect a two-component succession of indexed displacements of said holder; input means having n binary-bit electrical output connections for each of the m decimal digits; and switching means synchronized with said indexing means for operatively connecting successive of the n output connections for each decimal digit to the control means of the corresponding marking element.
 18. Apparatus according to claim 17, in which the value of n is four, and the binary-data areas and the effective punch element areas are rectangular, the longitudinal dimension of the punch-element areas being at least one half of the longitudinal dimension of the binary-data areas.
 19. Apparatus according to claim 18, in which the transverse dimension of the punch-element areas is less than one half of the overall transverse dimension of the binary-data areas. 